<p>What's the difference between ED and EA? How many or what are the unis that allow Internationals to apply EA or ED. When does one apply for EA or ED.</p>
<p>ED is Early Decision and EA is Early Application. Applicants have to submit ED and EA applications around the time (November 1st) although it might vary slightly (+- few days) depending on the uni. Best bet is to check out the individual uni websites. </p>
<p>ED is binding which means that if you apply to a uni ED and get accepted, you must go to that uni. A consequence of this is that you can only apply to one uni ED. </p>
<p>EA is non-binding - you can apply to as many unis as you want EA (assuming they have EA applications) and choose which uni you want to go when you get your acceptances. Its basically like Regular Decision except you apply earlier and get your replies earlier.</p>
<p>An advantage of ED is that it usually gives the applicant a slightly better chance of getting admitted to that uni as an ED application means that the student is committed to that uni. So make sure you apply ED to your top-choice uni because unis are very strict about the ED agreement - if you break this agreement it usually means you probably won't get into any other selective unis when you apply later.</p>
<p>Most selective unis have an ED or EA application although Harvard and and Princeton got rid of that option a few years ago. Some unis like MIT do not allow international students to apply EA or ED. Some others allow international students to submit Early applications but don’t allow the int. students to apply for financial aid if they apply early. </p>
<p>Theres a third type of early application called SCEA (single choice early action) which is only offered by a few unis like stanford. This is like EA (it isn't binding) but you can only apply to one uni early. I am not sure if applying SCEA gives the applicant any sort of edge over Regular decision applicants.</p>
<p>So with all these different sorts of applications, the best thing to do is to go to the individual uni websites and find out for yourself.</p>
<p>PS - Theres something else called ED I and ED II but I'm don't know how this system works. I'm sure someone else on this forum will explain it.</p>
<p>depends on whether you need aid or not for some unis</p>
<p>^assuming you need FA?</p>
<p>most allows except UChicago, Wesleyan, Carleton, and some more that I aint sure</p>
<p>I'm not sure if universities have a specific policy saying, if you're applying for aid, you are not allowed to apply early, but if you do require aid, and a substantial amount, I would strongly discourage you from applying ED (EA/SCEA should be fine though) That's because ED is binding, and you won't have the advantage of comparing offers from several universities.</p>
<p>EDI and EDII work pretty much the same way as ED, just the deadlines are different (generally EDI is around November, while EDII can be around January) Still binding.</p>
<p>MIT is one that does not allow internationals to apply early.</p>
<p>!!
Thanks a lot. One more question: When u apply ED , do u get back the uni responses before the RD starts? Can u apply to universities for RD at the same time as applying to a particular university ED? (tricky Q ?)</p>
<p>you can, but if you get in, just withdraw the rest</p>
<p>Yes, you'll hear back from ED usually around mid-December; RD deadlines are usually around January 1. And yes, you can submit applications for the RD round before you hear back from ED; you will just need to withdraw your applications if you are accepted ED.</p>